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Monthly Archives: May 2016

In my walk with the Lord, I have always been a firm believer that “God does not give us more than we can bear” and that “He always goes with us” through our experiences–the good, the bad, and the ugly.

Two weeks ago, I was definitely tested on the “bad and the ugly” when I fell–up the stairs–holding my grandson who, thankfully, was not hurt. Fortunately, I fell forward and not backward. I was able to lay him gently at the top of the stairs, and–at the time–I thought all I hurt was my knee. That was on a Thursday afternoon but by Sunday, I was experiencing a lot of pain on the left side of my lower back which generated all the way down to my knee. By Tuesday, standing was getting more difficult, and my husband and I decided it was time to go to the chiropractor and my primary care physician.

My first visit was with the chiropractor whom I trusted completely to examine me and determine what the problem(s) were with my back. Unable to lie face down for an adjustment, she recommended that I go to my primary care physician because I might need an MRI to determine what the course of action should be. After an ultrasound/cold compresses, I went home and took some Aleve, along with bed rest for two days.

Before the doctor’s office could see me, I ended up going to the ER for several hours where they hooked me up to pain medication/saline drip and did a CT scan which showed I had a “bulging disc”–the cause of the pain. After the diagnosis, I was given discharge instructions, along with pain and nausea prescriptions. Luckily, I was scheduled for a visit with my primary care physician the next morning.

However, at the doctor’s office the next day, even though I had a scheduled appointment, the waiting room was quite busy and I ended up waiting for an hour just to get into the exam room. Sitting, however, was less painful than standing but the wait caused me to become more anxious than I realized. Did I mention that along with the back/leg pain, I also had a “terrible cough” all week as well and trying to breathe in and out while she used the stethoscope caused me to cough even more. Because strep throat was going around, she decided to do a strep test, and I was now diagnosed with strep throat. A prescription was called into the pharmacy for us to pick up in half an hour. I called my daughter immediately to let her know about the diagnosis and that she should take Gryphon to the doctor because he had also been coughing. The result was he, too, had strep throat.

In the meantime, my husband and I decided that I needed something to eat so we stopped at our favorite diner–Denny’s. They seated us right away, and I was able to relax and eat. After our meal as I waited for my husband to pay, a woman approached me and asked about the pain I was experiencing, where it was, and what caused it. She proceeded to tell me that she had been a massage therapist for over 20 years and was known in the local area where she had her business. Along with her background, she gave me an exercise that she knew would ease my pain although it would be uncomfortable to do. I thanked her and appreciated her advice which I later used and it did help relieve the pain.

Along with the “exercise” advice, she also told me that she was a strong believer “that the Holy Spirit” directed her to talk with me and I agreed that I believed that as well. God always allows individuals to come into your life at the time you need them has always been my philosophy, and it has been proven over and over throughout the years. By the ending of our conversation, my husband joined us and also agreed with what she shared. He, too, was thankful for her advice and that she allowed the Holy Spirit to talk with me as well. Isn’t the Lord good. She could have just sat in her seat and did nothing, but she obeyed the prompting of the Holy Spirit, and that action lifted my spirits tremendously.

I may not see this woman ever again, but I will always remember her kindness and words of encouragement during the time that I needed someone to lift my spirits. It also served as a reminder that “God loves me no matter what I am going through.” I do believe that He also will not give us more than we can bear without an “end” in sight to whatever is happening in our lives. We just need to remember and recognize the little things that He does–sending someone along at just the right time–to encourage us and give us the strength that we need at the time.

I want to thank my sister who was visiting for over a week from CA that–even though she had to work during the week on her computer–she was there when I needed someone to help with household items, as well as make me laugh by talking about past childhood incidences (i.e. toilet paper). Along with a number of my sisters, she is one that I can always count on and she is one of my best friends. The Lord knew when she booked her trip that I would need her more than ever.

Also a note of thanks to Grammy Cindy, who came down immediately to watch our grandson for the rest of the week. She didn’t hesitate to come when she was needed, and I appreciate her taking that time to do so for me and for my daughter as well. She is truly a “one-of-a-kind”, “down-to-earth”, “honest-and-true”, precious friend, and I feel very blessed to have her in my life. I really miss those “Panera” lunches we used to have before I moved to VA as well.

If you are going through some difficulty in your life at this moment, I pray that the Lord will send someone–your pastor, a friend, a family member, or a stranger–along to encourage your heart and to help give you the strength to go through your circumstances no matter how big or small.